Jump Space is an upcoming mission-based co-op PvE first-person shooter where you and up to three friends (or solo, if you prefer) crew a spaceship, explore alien sectors, do combat both inside and outside the ship, and try to survive in the cold harsh beauty of space. It’s being developed by Keepsake Games.
Originally known as Jump Ship, the name was changed to Jump Space to reflect broader ambitions.
It launches into Early Access/Game Preview on September 19, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S and on PC via Steam. The price is $19.99 (with equivalent in other currencies) at launch.
Here are the key features that seem to make Jump Space stand out:
Mission-based structure with random elements — so that even similar missions feel a little different each time. Seamless transition between different modes of play: piloting your ship, spacewalking (EVA) to do repairs or hacks, exploring planets on foot, engaging in firefights. The transitions are supposed to be smooth, with no jarring loading screens between ship and ground or ship and EVA.
Ship management and customization: you scavenge parts, maintain the ship, upgrade it in various ways (defence, attack, speed etc.), repair damage, adapt to the threats you face.
Co-op or solo friendly: you can play entirely alone, but the game shines when played with up to 4, with dynamic roles (pilot, engineer, field combat etc.), and you may switch roles as needed depending on what the mission demands.
Variety of missions and regions: at launch there will be several mission types, spread across dozens of sectors, unlocking galaxy regions, different maps, different ships.
Why Jump Space looks exciting
Here’s what makes Jump Space potentially special:
1. Ambitious mix of gameplay styles: In many space-games you get either ship combat or planetary/ground exploration; Jump Space promises both, plus mid-space EVA and on-foot FPS combat. That variety can keep the experience fresh and unpredictable.
2. Co-op dynamics: The lack of fixed rigid roles means that a team has to coordinate, adapt, and sometimes improvise. That’s always more thrilling than just everyone having “the same job.”
3. Good value for early access: At $19.99, it’s a relatively low risk buy for gamers who like to follow a game in early access, give feedback, and watch it evolve. Given the roadmap (new weapons, new content, lobby system, chat etc.), there’s promise that the live service / evolving nature will be worthwhile.
4. Visual/style potential: From trailers and early look-demos, the aesthetic (space stations, debris fields, planets, inside ship corridors) looks polished for an indie co-op game. While not AAA scope (yet), the craftsmanship appears high.
Because this is early access / Game Preview, there are both opportunities and risks:
Polish & bugs: Early access means not everything will work perfectly. There may be performance issues, glitches, balancing problems, or features missing. One must be ready for that.
Content gaps: While there’s a roadmap, some features are planned but not yet in at launch (e.g. chat/lobby browser, Endless Mode etc.). If those are important to you, you’ll want to check when they’ll arrive.
Solo experience might differ: The game is built for co-op, so while solo is supported, some of the more chaotic, fun, or dramatic moments might work best with a team. If playing alone, might feel less dynamic.
Replay value depends on mission variety and procedural/random elements: The more variation in enemies, mission objectives, environmental hazards, the longer the game will stick with you. If variation is shallow, it could get repetitive.
Community and support: As with all early access/co-op games, success will depend on the developer listening to feedback, patching issues, and adding content over time. If the player base is small or feedback slow, it might lag.
For co-op enthusiasts who love space games, ship-management, combining ground combat with zero-G repair missions, Jump Space is shaping to be one of the more promising indie titles in that space (pun intended). The price is reasonable, the ambition is high, and the games preview/early access model means you’ll be along for the journey, helping shape it.
If you’re more of a solo gamer, or you dislike rough edges and expect full polish from day one, this might test your patience. But even then, it looks like there’s enough content and interest that even solo runs will be worthwhile, especially if you mostly enjoy exploration, customization, and slower pacing mixed with bursts of combat.
Jump Space is not just “another space FPS” — it seems to be trying to weave together multiple strands: co-op, ship crew roles, planetary exploration, EVA, and a living, evolving roadmap of content. At $19.99, it offers a lot of upside. If the developers hit their launch targets and then follow up with the promised features, it could become a sleeper hit on Xbox and PC.
